Out of the Pac – Week Twelve

Three up, two down with last week’s picks has the season record now at 57-17. Washington State and Colorado take the week off and a couple of rivalry gameshighlight the week twelve schedule. As always we first take a look back at the week that was.

Week 11Friday, November 10
Stanford 30 – Washington 22 (pick: Washington 35-27)As the Huskies waltzed through a cup-cake non-conference schedule and even after their stumble in Tempe the thought has been until someone proves they are better, Washington owns the northern division. After falling to Washington State, the Cardinal bounced back with a victory over Washington that leaves those three teams with a chance to win the division two weeks left in the season. With a bye this week, the Cougars own their destiny with a win over Stanford in hand and the Huskies in Seattle next week.

Saturday, November 11
USC 38 – Colorado 24 (pick: USC 42-23)Fait accompli after dispatching Arizona the week before but official with the win over the Buffs, USC will represent the south in the conference championship game.

UCLA 44 – Arizona State 37 (pick: ASU 55-38)Remember when the Sun Devils throttled the Huskies in week six and that this was the year Todd Graham had the team to contend for the southern division crown? Remember how ASU always seems to unravel before that can happen?

Week 12Saturday, November 18UCLA @ USCRivalry games are always dicey and the case could be made this game in particular could become a trap game for the home team. USC has already clinched a spot in the conference championship game in spite of occasionally uninspiring play and that tendency could work to the Bruins advantage if the Trojans think they can mail this one in. Last week’s win over ASU could lend UCLA a bit of momentum as well. But in the end, USC is the better team and should prevail 35-27.

Utah @ WashingtonWashington’s only chance to return to the conference championship game would require Cal to beat Stanford this week and for the Huskies to beat both Utah and Washington State in next week’s Apple Cup. At least one of those things will come to pass. Washington 38-17

California @ StanfordThis one won’t. Stanford 37-18

Arizona @ OregonJustin Herbert’s return provides just enough Oregon offense against a porous Arizona defense and on the other side of the ball the Duck defense will keeps disciplined pursuit angles and slows Khalil Tate’s running threat enough for the Ducks to escape with a 44-42 win.

Arizona State @ Oregon StateProbably the Beaver’s best opportunity for a conference win in 2017. ASU becomes bowl eligible with a win and is favored by a touchdown. Given the state of the OSU defense keeping it to seven could be a challenge. ASU 33-21.